The British Empire's lens on India: A controversial legacy captured in photographs.
The camera as a tool of power
In the 19th century, the British Empire embarked on a mission to categorize and understand India, and photography played a pivotal role in this endeavor. A thought-provoking exhibition, Typecasting: Photographing the Peoples of India, 1855-1920, reveals the intricate relationship between the camera and colonial rule. But here's where it gets controversial—the exhibition showcases how photography was used to 'fix' identities and simplify India's rich cultural tapestry.
Organized by DAG, this collection of 200 rare photographs spans 65 years, capturing diverse communities across India. From the Lepcha and Bhutia in the northeast to the Afridis in the northwest, and from the Todas in the Nilgiris to the elite Parsis and Gujaratis in the west, the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of India's human landscape. It also sheds light on the lives of those marginalized by the colonial system, including dancing girls, agricultural workers, and snake charmers.
Capturing diversity, shaping reality
These photographs did more than just document; they influenced how India's social fabric was perceived. By transforming fluid, lived experiences into static 'types', the images contributed to the British Empire's classification of India's diverse population. Curated by historian Sudeshna Guha, the exhibition primarily features The People of India, an eight-volume photographic survey that was highly influential in its time.
The exhibition also includes works by renowned photographers like Samuel Bourne, Lala Deen Dayal, and John Burke, whose images became the visual language of the era. According to DAG CEO Ashish Anand, this collection tells the story of ethnographic photography and its profound impact on both the British administration and the Indian people, in a way never before seen in India.
A visual journey through history
The selected photographs provide a glimpse into this fascinating yet controversial period. From portraits of individuals to scenes of daily life, each image is a window into a complex past. And this is the part most people miss—these photographs not only reflect history but also shape our understanding of it. They raise questions about the power dynamics between the photographer and the photographed, and the role of visual representation in shaping cultural identities.
What do these photographs reveal about the intentions of the British Empire? Do they merely document a bygone era, or do they perpetuate a specific narrative? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this captivating yet contentious aspect of colonial history.
